FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Marian University men's volleyball (2-3, 0-1 MCVL) was able to force four sets against No. 11 Mount St. Joseph but ultimately fell to the Lions 25-19, 25-18, 23-25, and 25-12.

MSJ held Marian to a -.042 hitting percentage in the opening set as they used a 10-5 start to the match to cruise to the first set win.  The second set was similar as the Sabres would only manage a -.059 hitting percentage to put themselves in a 2-0 hole.  The Lions opened the set with a 10-3 lead only to have MU cut the deficit down to three at 16-13.  MSJ had an answer, however, with nine of the final 14 points in the set.

Marian fought back early in the third set and took a 14-9 lead to start the set forcing an MSJ timeout.  Following the break, the Lions used an 8-3 run to knot the game at 17-17.  From there the set was a deadlock leading to an MSJ 23-22 advantage leading to a Marian timeout.  The stoppage proved to be the difference as MU took full advantage of a missed serve following the timeout to take the set.  A solo block from Ben Walter and kill from Aaron Wendels completed the quick 3-0 run to finish the set and force set four.

Wendels and Jon Smallpage each had three kills in the set to lead the Sabres, while Cullen Liberski had a set-high five digs to lead the back row.

The fourth set saw the Lions return to their strong play at the net holding Marian to a -.172 hitting percentage to go with five blocks as they clinched the match.

Smallpage had a team-high 11 kills hitting .207 to lead the Sabre offense, while Liberski had a match-high 13 digs.  Joey Dittman put together another solid night with assists on 24 of the 26 MU kills and four block assists.

Marian closes out the opening weekend of MCVL play tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 6 hosting Wittenberg at 2 p.m.

--FightBlueFight--